Our Story

In the year 2000, we started this practice with a dream to approach design and planning from a broad, holistic perspective. As architects, landscape architects, planners, and urban designers it was the only way we could address the complexity of communities, cities and the diverse, interconnected natural and human-made ecologies we inhabit.

That dream has brought together a diverse array of forty-plus talented people working from studios in Toronto, Thunder Bay, and Winnipeg:

  • architects, landscape architects, artists, environmentalists and planners seamlessly working together;

  • Indigenous designers from diverse backgrounds leading co-creation teams with non-Indigenous professionals whose families have come from all over the world;

  • and young interns learning from this experience – while drawing us forward.

We work in the medium of the built and natural environments driven by a belief that we have been given an incredible gift in Canada, and an opportunity to get it right –to create environments where people can prosper and thrive while protecting the land, water, air and the other species that make life possible. This work is driven by a uniquely Canadian design ethos derived from research into place, diverse cultures, Indigenous world views, sustainability, natural materials, and the application of new technologies.

  • Architecture

    Landscape Architecture

    Urban Design

    Indigenous Design Studio

  • Universities & Colleges
    Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia
    Algonquin College, Ottawa, Ontario
    Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario
    Confederation College, Thunder Bay, Ontario
    Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
    Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Centre, Lebanon, New Hampshire
    George Brown College, Toronto, Ontario
    Humber College, Toronto, Ontario
    Huntsman Marine Sciences Centre, St. Andrew’s, New Brunswick
    Innis College, University of Toronto, Ontario
    Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario
    Marine Institute, St. John’s, Newfoundland
    McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
    Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland
    Memorial University, Cornerbrook, Newfoundland
    Mohawk College, Hamilton, Ontario
    Mount Royal University, Calgary, Alberta
    Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Science Park at Yale, New Haven, Connecticut
    Sir Sanford Fleming College, Peterborough, Ontario
    Sunnybrook and Women’s Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Ontario
    Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario
    Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario
    University College of Cape Breton, Sydney, Nova Scotia
    University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta
    University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba
    University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick
    University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick
    University of Ottawa, Ontario
    University of Prince Edward Island
    University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
    University of Sudbury, Ontario
    University of Toronto, Ontario
    University of Waterloo, Ontario
    University of Windsor, Ontario
    University of Winnipeg, Manitoba
    University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
    Victoria University at the University of Toronto, Ontario
    York University, Toronto, Ontario

    Research and Bio-Medical
    Science Park at Yale, New Haven, Connecticut
    Providence Research Centre, Rhode Island
    Aventis Pasteur, Toronto, Ontario
    Sunnybrook and Women’s Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario
    University of Toronto Health Network, Toronto, Ontario
    Hotel Dieu Hospital, Windsor, Ontario
    Innovation Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
    Exploration Place, Lethbridge, Alberta
    Rouge Valley Technology Park, Markham, Ontario
    Exit One Research and Technology Park, Revere, Massachusetts
    Knowledge Park, Fredericton, New Brunswick


    School Boards
    Conseil Scolaire Public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario (CSPGNO)
    Durham District School Board
    Halifax Grammar School
    Keewatin-Patricia District School Board
    Lakehead District School Board
    Rainy River District School Board
    Toronto District School Board


    Municipalities
    City of Barrie
    City of Belleville
    City of Brampton
    City of Brantford
    City of Buffalo, New York
    City of Burlington
    City of Cambridge
    City of Cold Lake
    City of Elliot Lake
    City of Guelph
    City of Hamilton
    City of Iqaluit
    City of Kingston
    City of Kitchener
    City of Markham
    City of Mississauga
    City of Moncton
    City of Niagara Falls
    City of North Bay
    City of Oshawa
    City of Port Colborne
    City of Richmond Hill
    City of Saskatoon
    City of St. Catharines
    City of Stratford
    City of Sault Ste. Marie
    City of Thunder Bay
    City of Toronto
    City of Vaughan
    City of Windsor
    City of Woodstock
    County of Oxford
    Municipality of Greenstone
    Municipality of Neebing
    Municipality of Shuniah
    Region of Halton
    Region of Niagara
    Region of Waterloo
    Regional Municipality of Clarington
    Regional Municipality of Durham
    Regional Municipality of Niagara
    Regional Municipality of York
    Town of Ajax
    Town of Aurora
    Town of Bradford
    Town of Bracebridge
    Town of Cobourg
    Town of Collingwood
    Town of East Gwillimbury
    Town of Fort Erie
    Town of Halton Hills
    Town of Hanover, New Hampshire
    Town of LaSalle
    Town of Milton
    Town of Niagara-On-The Lake
    Town of Oakville
    Town of Tillsonburg
    Town of Whitby
    Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
    Township of Dawson
    Township of King
    Township of Lake of the Woods
    Township of Seguin


    First Nations Communities
    Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek
    Attawapiskat First Nation
    Chippewa of the Thames First Nation
    Lac Des Mille Lacs First Nation
    Naicatchewenin First Nation
    Nibinamik First Nation
    Pic Mobert First Nation
    Saugeen First Nation
    Wauzhushk Onigum Nation
    Fort William First Nation
    Serpent River First Nation
    Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation


    Indigenous Organizations
    Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
    Collective of Voices
    Downie-Wenjack Fund
    First Nations Technology Council
    Manitoba Métis Federation
    Matawa Tribal Council
    Native Women’s Resource Centre Toronto
    Northern Nishnawbe Education Council
    Shawenim Abinoojii Inc.
    Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health, University of Toronto
    Wequedong Lodge


    Public Development Corporations
    Canada Lands Company
    Canadian International
    CreateTO
    Development Agency
    Expo 2000 Canada
    Expo 98 Canada
    Infrastructure Ontario
    Metrolinx
    Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
    Peace Bridge Authority
    Parc Downsview Park
    Northwest Arena Corporation
    Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport
    Parks Canada
    Thunder Bay District Social Services Administration Board
    Toronto Community Housing Corporation
    Toronto Transit Commission
    United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
    United States Agency for International Development
    Waterfront Toronto


    Parks and Conservation Authorities
    Credit Valley Conservation Authority
    Halton Hills Conservation Authority
    Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
    Lakehead Region Conservation Authority
    Parks Canada

    Development and Investment Corporations
    20 Vic Management
    Build Toronto Inc.
    Cadillac Fairview Corporation Ltd.
    CentreCourt Developments
    Cityzen Development Group
    Daniels Corporation
    Defense Construction Canada
    Equifund
    FRAM Building Group
    Freed Development
    Gairlock Developments
    Goldman Group
    Hammerson Canada
    JP Northern Corp.
    Lamb Development Corp.
    Latch Developments
    Loblaw Companies Ltd.
    Lyme Developments
    Marathon Realty
    Marlin Spring
    Menkes Developments
    Orca Bay Entertainment Corporation
    PortLiving
    Reserve Properties
    SmartCentres REIT
    Sorbara Group of Companies
    Stafford Homes
    Talisker Corporation
    TRIAGE Development Corp.
    Triloft Development Corporation
    Urbacon

  • 2022

    • Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), National Urban Design Awards: Urban Design Plans, Saugeen First Nation GZHE-MNIDOO GI-TA-GAAN (Creator’s Garden and Amphitheatre) Master Plan

    2021

    • Canadian Association of Landscape Architects (CSLA), National Award: Planning and Analysis, Saugeen First Nation Creator’s Garden and Amphitheatre Restoration Master Plan

    • Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) Award, Award for Planning Excellence Merit: Healthy Communities Planning, GZHE-MNIDOO GI-TA-GAAN (Creator’s Garden and Amphitheatre) Master Plan

    • Ontario Engineering Project Award of Excellence, Shoppers Drug Mart Flagship

    • Ontario Engineering Project Award of Merit: Building & Engineering Science, Shoppers Drug Mart Flagship

    • Guelph Urban Design Award of Excellence: Guelph Civic Museum and Landscape

    • Guelph Urban Design Award Honorable Mention: Guelph Commercial Built Form Standards

    2020

    • Canadian institute of planners (CIP) Award, Award for Planning Excellence, Vaughan City-Wide Urban Design Guidelines

    • Canadian Wood Council Award, 720 Yonge Mass Timber Building

    • Wood Design & Building Citation Award, Awen’ Gathering Place

    • PRO (Parks and Recreation Ontario), Award of Excellence: Park or Facility Design Award (pop. over 100,000), Lake Wilcox Park Youth Area

    • PRO (Parks and Recreation Ontario), Award of Excellence: Park or Facility Design Award (pop. under 100,000), Awen’ Gathering Place

    2019

    • Ontario Wood Design Awards, Innovation Award, Shoppers Drug Mart Flagship

    • Canadian Architect Award of Merit, Thunder Bay Art Gallery Waterfront Relocation Project

    • Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence, Commercial Construction, Multi-residential and Industrial Over $250,000, Lake Wilcox Phase 3 (with Rutherford Contracting Ltd)

    • Toronto Urban Design Awards, Award of Merit – Elements, Indigenous Cultural Markers

    • Toronto Urban Design Awards, Award of Merit – Private Buildings in Context – Mid-Rise, Duke Condos (2903 Dundas Street West)

    2018

    • Wood Design & Building Awards, Citation Award, Orillia Waterfront Centre

    2017

    • Hamilton Urban Design and Architecture Awards, Award of Excellence: Visions & Master Plans, Pier 7 & 8

    • Hamilton Urban Design and Architecture Awards, Award of Excellence: Landscapes, Public Spaces & Green Infrastructure, Mohawk College Hoop Dance

    • Toronto Urban Design Awards, Award of Merit, Regent Park Living Lane

    • Waterfront Center Award, Long Range Plan Honor, Master Plan for Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park, Burlington

    2016

    • Ontario Association of Architects, Design Excellence Award, Prince Arthur’s Landing, Thunder Bay

    2015

    • International Olympic Committee/IAKS, Silver Medal for Architecture, Prince Arthur’s Landing, Thunder Bay

    • Toronto Urban Design Awards, Merit Award, EGLINTONconnects

    • Canadian Institute of Planners, Award for Planning Excellence in Urban City and Regional Planning, Eglinton Connects

    • Ontario Association of Architects, Honourable Mention in Design Excellence, Deer Clan Longhouse, Crawford Lake

    2014

    • Ontario Wood Works, Jury’s Choice Award, Deer Clan Longhouse

    • OPPI Excellence in Planning Award, Research and New Directions, The Huron Sussex Neighbourhood Planning Study

    • Ontario Association of Architects, Concepts Award, Jiigew [By the Water]

    • Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, National Urban Design Awards, Urban Fragments Category, Jiigew [By the Water]

    • Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, Awards of Excellence, Communications, Designing Thunder Bay’s Image Routes: An Innovative Approach to Large-Scale Streetscape Redevelopment (Thunder Bay)

    2013

    • Institute of Transportation Engineers Toronto Section, Project of the Year Award, Eglinton Connects

    • Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture & Design / The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, International Architecture Award, Gathering Circle, Prince Arthur’s Landing, Thunder Bay

    • Canadian Urban Institute Brownfields Awards, Best Small Scale Project, Baggage Building Arts Centre, Prince Arthur’s Landing, Thunder Bay

    • Premier’s Design Awards, Community Planning Award of Merit, University of Saskatchewan College Quarter Master Plan

    2012

    • Royal Architectural Institute of Canada National Urban Design Awards, Certificate of Merit, Toronto Avenues and Mid-Rise Buildings Study

    • Ontario Association of Landscape Architects, Award for Service to the Environment, Spirit Garden, Prince Arthur’s Landing, Thunder Bay

    • Ontario Association of Landscape Architects, Award of Merit, Spirit Garden, City of Thunder Bay

    • Ontario Association of Architects, Merit Award, Artifact Award, Gathering Circle, City of Thunder Bay

    • Ontario Wood Works Jury’s Choice Award, Gathering Circle, Thunder Bay ON

    • Ontario Wood Works Northern Ontario Excellence Awards, Water Garden Pavilion, Thunder

    • Waterfront Center (Washington D.C.), Excellence on the Waterfront Honor Award, Prince Arthur’s Landing, Thunder Bay

    • International Downtown Association, Pinnacle Award, Public Space, Prince Arthur’s Landing, Thunder Bay

    • Royal Architectural Institute of Canada National Urban Design Awards, Certificate of Merit, Urban Design Plans Category, Toronto Avenues and Mid-Rise Buildings Study

    • Canadian Institute of Planners, Award for Planning Excellence, Aboriginal Community Planning and Development Category, Spirit Garden, Prince Arthur’s Landing, Thunder Bay ON

    2011

    • North American Wood Design Award, The Gathering Circle, Thunder Bay ON

    • Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, National Honour Award of Excellence, University of Saskatchewan College Quarter Master Plan

    • Toronto Urban Design Awards, Award of Excellence, Toronto Avenues and Mid-Rise Buildings Study

    • Ontario Professional Planners Institute, Award for Planning Excellence, Toronto Avenues and Mid-Rise Buildings Study

    • Canadian Institute of Planners, Award for Planning Excellence, Honourable Mention, Toronto Avenues and Mid-Rise Buildings Study

    2010

    • Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), Award for Planning Excellence, North Oakville Secondary Plan & Implementation Strategy

    • Canadian Urban Institute Brownfields Awards, Best Large Scale Project, Prince Arthur’s Landing Master Plan, Thunder Bay

    2005

    • Waterfront Center Top Honor Award – Burlington Downtown Waterfront Plan

    • Canadian Institute of Planners Award of Excellence in Urban Design – Fort Erie Gateway

    • Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), District Outstanding Planning Award, Fort Erie Gateway

    2004

    • Ontario Professional Planners Institute Award for Planning Excellence – Burlington Downtown Waterfront Plan

    2003

    • Canadian Society of Landscape Architects National Merit Award – Windsor Central Riverfront

    • Ontario Homebuilders Association, New Community of the Year, Milton New Community

    2002

    • Canadian Institute of Planners Honour Award for Planning Excellence – Toronto Central Waterfront Part II Plan

    • Waterfront Centre (Washington D.C.) Top Honor Award – Toronto Central Waterfront Part II Plan

    2001

    • Canadian Institute of Planners Award of Excellence in Urban Design – Windsor Central Riverfront

    • Waterfront Centre (Washington D.C.) Top Honor Award – Windsor Central Riverfront

    • Ontario Professional Planners Institute Provincial Professional Merit Award – Windsor Central Riverfront

    • Ontario Professional Planners Institute District Outstanding Planning Award – Windsor Central Riverfront

    1999

    • Ontario Professional Planners Institute District Outstanding Planning Award – Downsview Lands Master Plan

    • Ontario Professional Planners Institute Honour Award for Public Consultation – Downsview Lands Plan


    

  
  

  



  
    
    


  
  




  

    

    
      
        
        
          





  








        
        

      
    
    

  

  

    

      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      




  
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